Nature Lovers join WWF to GO WILD
Toronto, Ontario (March 31, 2015) – Today, WWF-Canada welcomes four nature lovers as judges for our Go Wild campaign: Ziya Tong, host and producer of Canada’s only daily science program, Daily Planet, Les Stroud, creator and star of the original survival TV show, Survivorman, Matthew Blackett, founder and publisher of Canada’s urban magazine, Spacing, and Arthur L’aventurier, explorer and youth entertainer.
All four nature fans are joining WWF-Canada to help find the most innovative ideas to get Canadians outside and taking action for nature. From March 5 to April 15, Canadians from coast-to-coast, from 8 to 80-years-old, are invited to Go Wild with WWF-Canada for a chance to win recognition and $1,000 cash. All you have to do is apply online (www.wwf.ca/gowild) and tell us what YOU would do to connect people and nature in your community.
“Each of our judges successfully cultivates connections between people and nature on a daily basis,” said David Miller, President and CEO, WWF-Canada. “We are delighted to have their support and expertise as we search for the best ideas to help nature grow in communities across the country.”
From the judges:
“Since so many of us live in cities, we often don’t get the chance to see the world the way a biologist or explorer would. I want people to get outside and discover the nature we have in our backyards. I believe when you fall in love with the world, you will fight to protect it.”
- Ziya Tong, Host/Producer, Daily Planet
“It’s vital for people to think more about nature on a daily basis. Being blissfully ignorant about what’s going on in nature won’t make environmental issues go away. We need to make decisions based on what’s best for us AND the planet.”
- Les Stroud, Creator and Director, Survivorman
“I love cities – but if a city doesn’t have nature, it doesn’t work. As the publisher of a magazine about urban life, I see the role that nature plays in peoples’ quality of life in the city. And I’ve become even more acutely aware of the value of wild spaces now that I’m a father. Without places to play, relax and breathe clean air we wouldn’t be so in love with the city.”
- Matthew Blackett, Publisher and Co-founder, Spacing Magazine
“Nature is an inexhaustible source of fascination, discovery, and amazement. It’s fundamental that humans and nature be able to live side-by-side if we want to be able to keep exploring the world! That’s why we need to respect nature in both our everyday lives and in big adventures.”
- Arthur L’aventurier, Explorer and Entertainer
About Go Wild
Go Wild is WWF-Canada’s campaign to get people across the country to share their best and brightest ideas for getting their community more involved in helping nature thrive. The top five ideas will be awarded a micro-grant of up to $1,000 to help bring their idea to life. www.wwf.ca/gowild
Winners will be announced on May 15, 2015.
Visit www.wwf.ca/gowild for more information, criteria details for your ideas and the online submission form.
Join the conversation online and follow the latest news, submissions and photos via Twitter and Instagram at #WWFGOWILD.
About the Judges
Gemini-nominated Ziya Tong is co-host of DAILY PLANET, Canada’s daily science show. Bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for science and the environment to the DAILY PLANET platform, Tong resonates with audiences of all ages. http://www.discovery.ca/Shows/Daily-Planet/CAST
Les Stroud is best known as the Canadian Screen Award winning producer, creator and star of the hit TV series Survivorman, one of the highest rated shows in the history of OLN Canada, the Science Channel US and Discovery Channel US. http://lesstroud.ca/about
Matthew Blackett is the publisher, creative director and one of the founders of Spacing magazine. As publisher, Blackett has helped shape the magazine into one of Canada’s top small magazines. http://spacing.ca/toronto/matthew-blacketts-biography/
As a singer-songwriter, Arthur L’aventurier shares his passion and his insatiable curiosity for nature and the animals that inhabit it through entertaining and educational songs, shows and musicals for children and parents. http://www.arthurlaventurier.com
For more information contact:
Rebecca Spring
Communications Specialist, WWF-Canada
c: 647 338 6274
e: [email protected]
WWF-Canada is part of WWF (World Wildlife Fund), one of the world’s largest and most respected conservation organizations. With the active support of over 250,000 Canadians, WWF-Canada has close to 50 years of experience implementing science-based knowledge and research into on-the-ground projects. WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. Visit wwf.ca for more information.